MIKEL ARTETA has been ruled him out of tomorrow’s friendly with DC United.

The Spaniard was on crutches last night as he arrived in Washington, where Everton will complete the second leg of their seven-day US tour.

Arteta was substituted at half-time in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union but it is not known how serious the 29-year-old's injury is at this stage.

Blues boss David Moyes – without Louis Saha and Tony Hibbert for the tour – has already seen midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman, as well as striker Victor Anichebe, pick up training ground knocks this week.

Fellaini and Anichebe are also likely to miss out tomorrow night, though Osman is expected to make an appearance at the RFK Stadium.

Meanwhile, John Heitinga is not expected to miss the start of the season, despite his red card in the defeat to Philadelphia.

Heitinga was shown a straight red card after a clash with Philadelphia goalscorer Christian Hernandez during stoppage time in Wednesday's game, but referee Jorge Gonzalez admitted afterwards that he got the decision wrong, and is unlikely to include the incident in his match report.

That would leave the 27-year-old Dutchman free to continue his pre-season schedule, and provide Moyes with a much-needed boost in what has been a tough week.

One positive to emerge from the tour, however, has been the emergence of young forwards Conor McAleny and Apostolos Vellios, both of whom featured in the second half on Wednesday, and are expected to figure again at the weekend.

Teenage midfielder Ross Barkley could also play, having shaken off an ankle knock which cost him the best part of a weeks' training.

READ A FULL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MIKEL ARTETA IN FRIDAY’S LIVERPOOL ECHO